The King’s Temple in Taiyuan’s Bustling City Center—Xiaoyingyu Kaiyuan Temple

Taiyuan Kaiyuan Temple is located in Xiaoyingyu, Wanbolin District, not far from the West Middle Ring Road, making it easily accessible. Xiaoyingyu used to be an urban village but is now fully urbanized. Kaiyuan Temple sits at the entrance of the village, facing east, with the Xiaoyingyu Ancient Stage opposite. The predecessor of Kaiyuan Temple was actually the King’s Temple. The “King” refers to the orphan in the story of the Orphan of Zhao, whose name was Zhao Wu. After the Zhao family was framed, their family doctor, Cheng Ying, hid Zhao Wu in Cangshan Mountain, which has since become the birthplace of a culture of loyalty and righteousness. Zhao Wu later became a high-ranking minister in the Jin state and was deeply loved by the people. Kaiyuan Temple was his palace. In the 1960s, during a time of unprecedented hardship in China, the King’s Temple was destroyed. In the 1990s, as China entered a period of rapid development, Xiaoyingyu became a wealthy village, and the King’s Temple was rebuilt on its original site and renamed Kaiyuan Temple. Kaiyuan Temple has two courtyards and features cave-style architecture. At the mountain gate, there is the Temple of the Five Generals. In rural Shanxi, many villages enshrine the Five Generals at crossroads. They are assistants to the Eastern Peak Emperor, Huang Feihu, and are guardian deities who govern human life, old age, sickness, and death. In the center of the first courtyard stands a statue of Maitreya Buddha, the future Buddha. Up the steps behind the statue is the Guanyin Hall. King Zhao Wu is enshrined in a side hall—he isn’t high enough in rank to be placed before Guanyin. Several coiled dragon pillars outside the second-floor hall are quite distinctive. Gleaming golden dragons coil around the vermilion pillars, their heads held high, chests puffed out, looking vivid and spirited. The second courtyard houses the Mahavira Hall, with its magnificent double-eaved hip-and-gable roof. Amitabha Buddha, Shakyamuni Buddha, and Bhaisajyaguru Buddha occupy the center, flanked by Manjushri and Samantabhadra. Their solemn and golden Dharma images fill the hall, which is enveloped in the fragrant smoke of incense and auspicious Buddhist light. Side halls include the Dragon King Hall, the Hall of Child-Giving, and the Guandi Hall. Though small, the temple has everything. Opposite Kaiyuan Temple is a small park with pleasant surroundings. Inside the park is an ancient stage where people rehearse performances. There is also a village history museum nearby. Xiaoyingyu is a village with a history spanning a thousand years and a current value exceeding 100 million yuan. With its ancient well and ancient locust tree, it's a great place to relax.